Fairfax non-dentist arrested, charged with practicing dentistry without a license

Say you need a root canal. Where you going to go: some place with a sign proclaiming a licensed dentist is inside, or to the lady with a basement office hidden behind a refrigerator?

A Fairfax County woman recently chose the latter, much to her dismay. After follow-up medical treatment from an actual doctor, she went to the Fairfax police.

The pseudo-dentist, operating out of a house in the Falls Church area, and her business associate were arrested last week and charged with performing an invasive procedure without a license among other charges, Fairfax police said Monday.

Rodriguez, left, and Moran. (Fairfax Police)

Police became aware of the "practice" in the 3000 block of Castle Road late last month, when a woman came into the Mason District Station and related her tale of oral woe.

According to a search warrant affidavit, the woman reported that she knew a guy, later identified as Oscar Moran, who worked for a dental lab, and that he knew an unlicensed dentist who could help her "for a much cheaper price than a regular dentist." (Insurance was presumably not an issue here.)

On March 27, according to the affidavit written by Detective Doug Comfort, Moran allegedly drove the woman to Castle Road, escorted her to the basement and introduced her to the "doctor."

The "doctor" then performed the root canal, Comfort wrote. But two days later, the patient developed an infection. Moran then reportedly provided the patient with amoxicillin, Comfort's affidavit states, but the infection remained and the victim had to turn elsewhere for treatment.

On April 5, the victim led two patrol officers to the house, where Moran was reportedly renting the basement. He was there, Comfort wrote, as was the female non-dentist. The victim pointed to an area behind a refrigerator.

One of the officers pushed the refrigerator aside and found a locked door, Comfort wrote. Moran provided the keys, and the officers discovered "an office consistent with a dentist ... complete with a dental chair," the affidavit continued.

"...she knew a guy...[who] knew an unlicensed dentist who could help her "for a much cheaper price than a regular dentist."
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This moron knew the dentist was not licensed when she went to her.